Yes, it's from early in Bujold's career and has some weak spots. The story really starts with 'Shards of Honor,' a science fiction-military action-conspiracy-political thriller 'space opera' that is also one of the great love stories of all time. 'Falling Free,' listed as Book 1, is a standalone prequel that bears little if any relationship to the rest of the series. Their story is told in 'Shards of Honor' and 'Barrayar.' Although Audible lists 'Barrayar' as Book 3 in the series, it's actually Book 2. Repeating some words from my review of 'Barrayar' that apply to this book: Even though most of the books feature Miles Vorkosigan as the protagonist, his parents Cordelia Naismith and Count Aral Vorkosigan are always at the heart of the saga, even when they aren't on stage. I can reaffirm that it's one of the greats. UPDATE as of 2020: Having gotten hooked, I have now listened to all the books in this series, most of them more than once. From the sound of the reviews the series only gets better. Now have to get the sequel ('Barrayar') and then apparently have an entire series featuring Cordelia and Aral's son Miles Vorkosigan to look forward to. Listened to the whole thing in two gulps. Then Audible put it on sale, which pushed me to take the plunge. This book sat on my Wish List for a while based on the recommendation of an Audible listener whose reviews I follow I'd never encountered Bujold's books and was in no hurry, it was in the 'maybe I'll try it' category. Look at the number of high-starred reviews Audible listeners have given to the Miles Vorkosigan series, which has also won a number of Hugo and Nebula awards.

However, you will enjoy the series all the more if you understand how Miles came to be. 'Shards of Honor' is the only book in the Vorkosigan series which isn't the best of the best. They are critical to your enjoyment of the full impact of 'Barrayar,' which the publisher's website states will be released in audiobook on 11/1/09. I originally read 'Shards of Honor' and the second book in the series, 'Barrayar,' in a compilation book called, 'Cordelia's Honor.' Reading these two books as one made more sense, as 'Shards of Honor' is a reasonably good story that builds to a whale of a good story in 'Barrayar.' Have patience with the slower pace of 'Shards of Honor' (and Bujold's early writing skills). First story in the Miles Vorkosigan seriesįor those of you who haven't had the pleasure of reading the Miles Vorkosigan books, this is the first in the series, which introduces Miles' parents, Cordelia Naismith of the planet Beta and Aral Vorkosigan of the planet Barrayar.

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold